10 Best Studio Headphones in 2018 from $50 – $1000

When you've decided a good pair of studio headphones, you may be overwhelmed by variety and brands available.

Picking up a pair of studio headphones is necessary for recording or may be mixing, as it will be a one-time investment and you depend on it for your studio needs.

If you are not sure what studio headphones to buy, you are in the right place. Here in this guide, I'm gonna review the best headphones that will be a great companion in your studio.

I'll also help you to decide the headphones, based on your purposes, budget (studio headphones under $100 for most people), and needs. Along with listing the best studio headphones, I will also educate you regarding how to select great headphones for the studio.

What to look for while buying good studio headphones?

Some of the form factors and specifications play a very important role for headphones when serving in a particular area or domain. In the case of studio headphones, here are some of the specifications you need to look into while making your buying decision.

Closed-back vs. Open-back design

This is the most confusing thing most of the studio newbies struggle with. Nevertheless, this is the most crucial part while buying a good pair of studio headphones.

Let me explain them to you one-by-one.

Closed-back headphones: These headphones have their backside of the ear cups closed. They are designed for you to isolate from the outside world.

The music or sound you are hearing will not be leaked outside, and also you will not hear the external sounds. The downside is that the sound appears less natural, with low sound staging.

A good pair of closed-back studio headphones are good for recording. Because they tend to not leak the sound outside, and your recording mic would not pick up the leaking sound.

If the recording is the most crucial activity you do in your studio, go for closed-back headphones, as sound isolation is the most important requirement for sound recording.

Open-back headphones: Contrary to the closed-back headphones, these open-back headphones have the back of their earcups open. There is no barrier between the drivers and surroundings in case of open-back ones.

The sound you are hearing will easily get heard by the surroundings, and you will also hear what the person next to you is talking.

The sound appears more natural, and there will be excellent sound staging experience. Some of the prefer these headphones for mixing purposes if they find using studio monitors not feasible.

As I told you earlier these cannot be used for recording purposes, as they leak the sound and mic will pick it up crippling the recording.

Replaceable parts

Buying a good pair of good studio headphones is more or less a one-time deal. You should make sure that the headphone is durable, customizable and parts are replaceable.

Most of the good studio headphones come with replaceable parts like earpads, headband, and cords.

You need to take this thing into consideration.

Flat frequency response

Most of the studio headphones cover the entire frequency range that human ear can listen, from 20-20,000Hz and most of the times even beyond.

The frequency response refers to how the headphones reproduce the sound of various frequencies. The flat frequency response refers to the accurate reproduction of sounds in various frequencies.

What goes in, should come out without any audio enhancements. This feature in studio headphones are crucial especially while recording and mixing. People tend to miss out this part.

Comfort

Comfort is the most important thing to consider while buying any headphones. Studio headphones are no exception. The most of the times, you get involved in the recording and mixing process, ending up working hours in the studio.

There are two types of headphones called Circumaural and Supra-aural.

Circumaural headphones have earcups that cover your entire ears, offering you maximum comfort and sound isolation in the case of closed-back headphones.

Supra-aural headphones have earcups that rest on your ears. They are less comfortable than that of the former and offer less sound isolation. They are made specially by taking light-weight and portability in mind.

I hope the aspects I described what you've to look while buying good quality studio headphones, helped you.

It's now time for me to review some of the best headphones that you can buy right now for studio use. I'm gonna divide this section into two parts for closed back and open-back headphones.

Top 7 closed-back studio headphones

Closed-back headphones are a good companion, especially for studio recording purposes. The noise isolation design that also does not leak sounds outside is the most important in this case. Because for recording, a quiet environment is necessary.

This is the best studio headphones that you can buy right now. If you are looking for true-audiophilic grade studio headphones, these headphones delight you.

The circumaural design that this headphone comes with ensures maximum sound isolation and also comfort when wearing it. When it comes to closed-back headphones, used for recording, excellent sound isolation is much needed, and that is what these headphones offer.

The frequency response is rather staggering ranging from 5Hz to 80KHz, something I've never imagined of in case of studio headphones. The sound quality detail is amazing.

At first, you start noticing the sounds and details in the music you've never heard before. The best part about these headphones are they are the best flat frequency response producing headphones out there.

I was quite surprised at how accurate the frequency response was. As I described earlier, this feature is a boon while mixing and recording. The sound come out with no enhancements, that is what preferred for studio mixing and recording.

If you need some audio enhancement for casual listening along with great studio experience go for Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Because Sony MDR7520 are pure studio headphones.

The impedance is optimal and the headphones can be driven without any headphone amp and also by mobile devices while traveling.

Compared to the previous version Audio-Technica ATH-M50, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones come with a new cool design and also enhanced sound quality.

These headphones offer upto 32dB of external noise attenuation making it the best suitable headphone for studio monitoring purposes. If you need excellent sound isolating headphones, you'll love these headphones.

The sound quality of the headphone is excellent and is worth the price. The sound staging is excellent although it is a closed-back headphones, which is good for studio monitoring, mixing and even recording.

The frequency response is almost flat, for accurate analysis while mixing.

These are circumaural headphones for maximum sound isolation and comfort. The comfort is quite good.

The ear pads are soft and the headband is padded with the same soft material. You can easily wear these headphones for hours together with no pressure on your head.

This headphone is specially meant for pure studio professional use. The German headphones company Beyerdynamic is great at designing high-grade audiophile headphones.

The main thing is that the impedance is 250 ohms. You can't drive these headphones with portable devices, you need amplifiers for driving these headphones.

The greatest advantage of having high impedance headphones is that high resistance in the wire offers exceptional quality audio and also gets rid of any static noises at the low range. There are also other impedance options like 80 ohms and 32 ohms.

If you are planning to use these headphones with mobile devices, then I would recommend you go for 32 ohms model.

These closed headphones offer high bass response technology for improved bass response. The earpads are of high quality, ensuring that the sound isolation is at the best.

The flat frequency response offered by these studiophile headphones ensure that the sound reproduced is accurate, except for a good enhanced bass response.

If you want flat frequency response for mixing and recording along with good bass, these headphones are the way to go.

The circumaural design entirely covers your ears, giving you maximum comfort and isolation from the surroundings.

Once you start the music, you barely can hear the surroundings noises, which is quite essential for studio recording. These are the most comfort studio headphones.

This is the headphone that fits the budget (under $100) and also don't compromize with quality.

As I told you earlier sound isolation is the most important to aspect in case of closed-back headphones for recording. These headphones come with a closed-ear design that blocks 32dB of outside noise.

This design also prevents the sound from bleeding into the adjacent microphones while recording in your studio. Due to the excellent background noise attenuation, once the music starts playing the sound quality is clearer.

The headphones has a decent impedance of 64 ohms making it ideal for studio and for as well as home listening. They sound great both when attached to your studio amplifier or your iPod.

The frequency response is from 8 - 25,00Hz, and the response is flat. This flat frequency response as I've told earlier is helpful for mixing and listening to classical music. They are great for studio monitoring due to the flat frequency response and extreme sound isolation.

Most of the closed-back headphones sound less natural, but in this case, there is extended frequency response which results in natural sound reproduction.

This comes with a circumaural design, that earcups rest around your ears comfortably. For large heads, the sound isolating design seems a bit tight but nevertheless, it loosens up eventually.

The soft leather pads used in the earcups does an excellent job of providing comfort and noise isolation.

The Earpads, headband padding, and audio cord are replaceable ensuring that these headphones are durable and a great deal.

If you are not a brand lover and a free thinker, this pair is for you. These are quite less-known studio headphones, maybe because it has no celebrity endorsements like that of other popular brands.

If you are looking for the best budget studio headphones without compromising with quality, you can't be wrong with these headphones. These headphones are priced around $70 - $80, making it the deal breaker in its range.

These are excellent studio monitors, enabling you to mix and produce soundtracks that don't suck. The headphones come with 50mm drivers, giving you a flat frequency response ranging from 15Hz - 30 KHz, more than what the human ear can hear.

The sound isolation is excellent, especially when you crank up the volume, it's a sound isolating machine. The frequency response is surprisingly flat, making it my choice for budget studio headphones.

These have a great padded over-ear cups and headband, that gives you great comfort while in the studio for hours. They fit sturdily over your ears, giving you good comfort.

Apart from these specs, the design makes the headphone foldable, that means it will be your travel companion.

The headphones come equipped with 40mm neodymium drivers, that are specially optimized for studio monitoring and accurate listening.

The frequency response is exceptional considering the price. The earpads are replaceable, for long-life of the headphones.

The circumaural design that this headphone comes with, ensures superior comfort and also offer great noise isolation. The playback on the headphones are also not picked up easily by other mics in the studio while recording.

The noise isolation created a nice listening environment and the voice is crisp even in noisy environment.

The headphones provide a great sound staging experience, for accurate mixing. The frequency response is also flat, ensuring that the sound reproduction is accurate and suitable for studio use.

There are no artificial sound or bass enhancements. These headphones are made especially for pure studio use.

The headphones are comfortable. The earpads are light on the head. If you are looking for high comfort and has a big head, these headphones may not be for you.

The impedance isn't that high, at 40 ohms so that these headphones can also be driven by portable devices. Nevertheless, they can be driven by studio-grade amplifiers.

This is the next version of the older headphones - Sennheiser HD 800. More comfort and accurate sound staging are the things that are upgraded. FYI, only audiophiles can notice this clear difference in the upgrade.

The best audiophile studio headphones with the open design. These are the true reference class headphones.

This comes equipped with 56mm Ring radiator transducers. Sennheiser's innovative absorber technology reduces the unwanted the frequency peaks, enabling the frequency response to flat making them the great headphones for studio use.

If you want the best detail and sound staging experience, go for Sennheiser HD 800 S. Every note is distinct.

The sound staging is wide, and instrument separation is wide making it the best headphone for smooth studio mixing.

As you are shelling out some real deal here, the build quality and durability of the headphones are important. The build quality is great, and all the components in the headphone feels premium and sturdy.

Due to the circumaural design, the comfort is great. The earpads are huge and comfortably rest on around your ears

. As they are not sound isolating headphones, they fit quite comfortably without any extra pressure. So, like any other open back headphones, these offer high comfort.

Obviously, these headphones are not for everyone due to the price point. If you are a serious audiophile, willing to invest on the pair, go for it.

As these are pure studio headphones, there are no extra colorings done to the original sound. The sound appears crisp and natural. You get professional grade sound staging, and it will be a boon for audio mixers.

There is some added bass, as most of the open design headphones lack bass. The bass appears natural and not too deep.

Laptop computers or the studio amps can drive these headphones. When connected to mobile devices, the mobile battery drains quickly and volume is not high. Moreover, you can't expect high-end studio open-back headphones rated at 62 ohms impedance to be driven by portable devices.

If you are looking for the best comfort is the case of open design, these headphones are the way to go. because they are extremely comfortable.

The auto adjusting headband does it's job pretty well, and is suitable for all head sizes. You can work for hours without any fatigue or stress in your head.

These are open design, studio-grade headphones rated at 250 ohms drivers. That means, for driving these headphones you need an amplifier.

It can also run with the help of portable battery-driven amps if you are a traveler. The higher impedance means clearer the audio.

The headphones are of high comfort due to the rugged, soft headband and also the ear pads are of soft velour paddings.

If you are looking for a flat response, this may not be for you. Because these headphones do a little bit of coloring for the sound at low and high ends and a bit deeper bass response. Due to this, they sound good and natural.

Otherwise, the sound staging is excellent, you can hear the details very well, making it best suited for mixing.

This headphone is certainly is not for an extreme audiophile. When compared to other pro studio open headphones this is budget friendly and won't break your bank.

Pros

Great sound staging

Extremely comfortable

Deeper bass and natural sounding

Cons

Need an amplifier for driving

Not pure flat response

These are some of the best studio-grade headphones.

Hope you loved this post. I tried my best to review the best headphones of various types suitable for studio purposes. If you liked the post, please do share this post with your friends.

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1 thought on “10 Best Studio Headphones in 2018 from $50 – $1000”

Thank you so much for this comprehensive guide on studio monitoring headphones. It's kind of hard to find an article with useful information these days especially on monitoring headphones so I'm really glad I found your article. I'm quite new to mixing but I figured I should get myself a pair of mixing headphones soon. I've been thinking I should get the Audio Technica ATH-M50x. I was gonna go for the Sony MDR 7520 but I do like me some good casual listening headphones as well.